Means steps down as Riverview XC coach

Working at the Sarasota YMCA 23 years ago, Jason Means was introduced to then Riverview High director of athletics John Sprague and track and field coach Jim Anderson.

On his first day attending practice, Means was in charge of the Rams distance runners.

“So much for an interview,” he said. “And I never looked back.”

Jason Means is thrilled with his Riverview High team's finish at the Bradenton Runners Club Invitational this past season. Means is stepping down as Rams coach after 22 seasons. STAFF PHOTO / DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI

Means now has time to look back. During the spring he stepped down as girls track and field coach at Riverview after 23 years. Wednesday, he resigned as Rams cross country coach after 22 seasons.

“I need a little break,” he said. “I spent a lot of time doing this stuff.”

Now, Means will have a chance to watch his daughter, Jordan, a volleyball player and rising freshman at Riverview.

“I’m a volleyball dad during the summer, going to tournaments,” he said.

The highlight of his cross country coaching career came in 2004 when a squad led by Ocean Cohen, Channing Cookerly and Alysha Duffy captured the Class 4A State Title at Ed Radice Park in Tampa, easily topping Miami Cooper City. The Rams also captured the district, region and Sarasota County meet championships that year.

“I’ve had lots of hard-working kids over the years,” Means said. “It’s tough leaving the kids who are there right now. They are good kids.”

The Rams return Robyn Natherson and Jessica Lonas on the girls side and Blake Riley and Warran Grajalez on the boys side.

“There is some talent returning for the new coach,” Means said.

The 50-year-old said there is a “possibility” he will return to coaching cross country or track.

“Never say never,” he said. “But right now if some buddies call me Tuesday and say they are golfing Wednesday, I’m going. I’m looking forward to playing golf.”

The move received the approval of his wife, Jennifer.

“She was happy,” Means said.

It was Jennifer’s parents who helped Means land in Florida. After running at Parkland Junior College and the University of Illinois, Jennifer’s parents wintered in the area. She decided to come down and look for a job, landing a position at Barnett Bank. Means followed.

14 of the last 17 years the Girls XC team were in the top 10 at the State meet.

Only one loss to a local (Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte Counties) team for 12 years starting in 1997-2008. (Sarasota girls beat Riverview at Regionals in 2002, but the Rams beat the Sailors the next week at the State XC meet).

30 individual XC state meet qualifiers – boys and girls

From 1993-2013 had at least one individual or one team qualify for the State XC meet (boys and girls combined)